The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been flooded with complaints about the Albanese Labor Government’s out-of-control Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with the regulator warning new consumer protections are required.
According to the ACCC’s Inquiry into National Electricity Market report, consumer complaints have increased by 107 per cent when comparing quarter 1 2026 to quarter 1 2025.
The ACCC also noted that state-based energy regulators were similarly fielding a wave of complaints about the scheme, with Energy Safe Victoria experiencing a 185 per cent increase in battery-related complaints in the latter half of 2025.
ACCC analysis of complaints to state energy ombudsmen about the scheme found Australians have complained about “misleading or incomplete advice”;’ “installers not rectifying issues”; and “defective products.”
In addition, the ACCC’s report noted that there is “no clear pathway” for consumers to obtain a resolution about hardware issues with the batteries.
Finding that there were “gaps” in current consumer protections, the federal watchdog has called for the establishment of an “overarching consumer duty with supporting electricity-specific protections.”
According to the latest data from the Australian Energy Regulator, more than 62 per cent of all inspected batteries have been found to be “substandard.”
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said Labor was leaving Australians vulnerable to shonks and grifters.
“Chris Bowen’s approach to his $8.5 billion battery scheme is simple: spend first, ask questions later,” Mr Tehan said.
“Like all of Labor’s Net Zero agenda, the battery subsidy has been poorly designed and hastily implemented.
“As a direct consequence of Mr Bowen’s incompetence, Australians have been left without basic consumer protections.
“This shonky scheme has been so poorly mismanaged from the get go, that the Clean Energy Regulator itself had to step in earlier this year and disperse funds because Bowen’s Department had run out of cash to keep it going.”
The original cost of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program was $2.3 billion, but the program has now blown out to $8.5 billion.
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Media contact: Phil Connole M | 0417 063 605